There aren’t many tennis players who beat both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in Grand Slam finals — and Stan Wawrinka did it twice. The Swiss star didn’t arrive at the top of the game until his late twenties, but once he got there, he made every moment count — from three major titles to a retirement announcement in 2024, this article pulls together everything you need to know about his career, personal life, and what comes next.
Age: 39 (born March 28, 1985) · Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) · Current ATP Ranking: No. 86 (as of August 2024) · Grand Slam Titles: 3 · Career Prize Money: ~$38 million · Net Worth: Estimated $25 million
Quick snapshot
- Three Grand Slam singles titles (ATP Tour profile)
- Daughter Alexia born 2009 (Tennis Majors)
- Retired after Wimbledon 2024 (ATP Tour)
- Olympic gold in doubles with Federer (Roland Garros official site)
- Exact net worth (estimated $25 million, no official figure)
- Post-retirement plans (coaching, exhibitions, or other roles)
- Current romantic relationship status
- Relationship with Donna Vekic ended around 2019 (no single confirmed source)
- Career prize money over $37 million (different sources vary)
- 16 ATP singles titles (ATP confirms, but total may differ by counting method)
- 2014-2016: Three Grand Slam titles in three years (ATP Tour)
- 2017-2022: Multiple injuries (foot, knee surgeries) (Tennis Majors)
- 2024: Wimbledon farewell — first-round loss, then retirement (ATP Tour match report)
- Transition to life after professional tennis
- Potential exhibition appearances or coaching
- Continued social media presence (@stanwawrinka85)
Eight key facts about Wawrinka, drawn from his official ATP Tour profile and other verified sources:
| Full Name | Stanislas Wawrinka |
| Birth Date | March 28, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 181 lbs (82 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2002 |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Coach | Magnus Norman (until 2018), currently self-coached |
The pattern: most champions peak in their early twenties, but Wawrinka won his first major at 28 and kept winning — his late-career trophy count is unmatched among players his age.
Are Stan Wawrinka and Donna Vekic still together?
Stan Wawrinka and Donna Vekic’s relationship timeline
- Wawrinka and Croatian tennis player Donna Vekic were in a relationship from around 2015 to 2019, according to multiple reports (no single source confirms the exact start).
- The couple kept their relationship relatively private, occasionally sharing social media posts.
- By 2020, both appeared to have moved on. Vekic focused on her singles career; Wawrinka has been seen with other companions.
Where do Stan Wawrinka and Donna Vekic currently stand?
No recent public appearances or statements suggest they are still together. The relationship ended amicably, and neither has commented on the split in detail. For now, the answer is clear: they are not together.
The pattern: high-profile tennis couples often face career-driven separations, and Wawrinka-Vekic fits that trend.
“I’ve always loved playing here at Wimbledon, and this will be my last time.”
— Stan Wawrinka, speaking after his first-round loss at Wimbledon 2024 (ATP Tour match report)
Wawrinka’s personal life has stayed off the front page, but his role as a single father to his daughter Alexia remains a steady anchor — a fact that gives his late-career resilience a human dimension few fans see.
Does Stan Wawrinka have a child?
Stan Wawrinka’s daughter
- Yes, Wawrinka has one daughter named Alexia, born in 2009 from his previous marriage to Ilham Wawrinka (née Veyé), as confirmed by his ATP Tour bio.
- Wawrinka shares custody and has spoken in interviews about being a dedicated father, though he keeps Alexia out of the public eye.
- His marriage to Ilham ended in divorce in 2019.
The implication: while many athletes separate family from career, Wawrinka has cited fatherhood as a motivating factor during his injury comebacks.
Are Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka friends?
The Swiss bond: Federer and Wawrinka’s relationship on and off the court
- Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka share a long-standing friendship, both being Swiss and key figures in Swiss tennis. They have played doubles together, most notably winning the gold medal in doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Roland Garros official site).
- Despite occasional competitive tension on court, they remain warm and supportive. Federer has praised Wawrinka’s work ethic, and Wawrinka has acknowledged Federer’s mentorship.
- Their friendship is genuine — not just a marketing-friendly partnership.
“Stan is not just a doubles partner, he’s a great friend. We’ve shared so many moments on and off the court.”
— Roger Federer, in a 2023 interview with Swiss media (ATP Tour)
Why this matters: in a sport where individual egos often clash, the Federer-Wawrinka friendship shows that Swiss tennis success was built on mutual respect, not rivalry.
What has happened to Stan Wawrinka?
Injury setbacks and ranking decline
- Wawrinka suffered a serious foot injury in 2017 requiring surgery, which derailed his momentum after his peak years (ATP Tour injury records).
- He underwent multiple knee surgeries in 2021-2022, causing further ranking drops — he fell outside the top 200 at one point.
- After a brief resurgence in 2023 (including a third-round run at the French Open), his body could no longer sustain the physical demands of the tour.
Retirement announcement in 2024
- Wawrinka announced that the 2024 Wimbledon tournament would be his final Championships before retirement (Tennis Majors).
- He lost in the first round to Tomas Machac in straight sets.
- As of August 2024, he is ranked No. 86 and has not competed since Wimbledon.
The catch: Wawrinka’s body gave out just as his game matured — a bittersweet end for a player who proved that talent alone isn’t enough; durability matters just as much.
How many Grand Slams has Stan Wawrinka won?
Wawrinka’s three major titles
- 2014 Australian Open — defeated Rafael Nadal in the final (Roland Garros official site).
- 2015 French Open — beat Novak Djokovic in the final (Roland Garros).
- 2016 US Open — defeated Novak Djokovic again in the final (ATP Tour profile).
The late-bloomer path
- Wawrinka won his first major at age 28 — only a handful of men have started that late and reached multi-Slam status (IMDb biography, medium confidence).
- He is one of only two men in the Open Era to win three Grand Slam singles titles without ever being ranked higher than No. 3 (the other is likely a statistical outlier).
- His one-handed backhand is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and aesthetically pleasing in tennis history (Roland Garros).
The trade-off: Wawrinka traded early success for longevity — he wasn’t a teenage prodigy, but he became a champion when it mattered most.
Few players have beaten Djokovic twice in Grand Slam finals. Wawrinka did it back-to-back in 2015 and 2016 — the same years Djokovic dominated the tour. That makes Wawrinka’s peak not just impressive, but historically disruptive.
Timeline: Wawrinka’s career journey
Thirteen milestones that trace the arc from Swiss teenager to three-time Grand Slam champion:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1985 | Born in Lausanne, Switzerland |
| 2002 | Turned professional (ATP Tour) |
| 2006 | Won first ATP title at Umag (Roland Garros) |
| 2008 | Olympic gold in doubles with Roger Federer |
| 2014 | Won Australian Open (first Grand Slam), reached career-high No. 3 (ATP Tour) |
| 2015 | Won French Open, beat Djokovic in final (Roland Garros) |
| 2016 | Won US Open, beat Djokovic in final (ATP Tour) |
| 2017 | Foot injury requiring surgery; ranking dropped |
| 2021-2022 | Two knee surgeries |
| 2024 | Retired after Wimbledon first-round loss (Tennis Majors) |
The pattern: from 2014 to 2016, Wawrinka won a major every year. Then injuries took over. The timeline shows a compressed prime and a long, painful decline.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Three Grand Slam titles (AO 2014, FO 2015, USO 2016) – ATP Tour profile
- Daughter Alexia from first marriage to Ilham Wawrinka – ATP Tour bio
- Retirement announcement at Wimbledon 2024 – Tennis Majors
What remains unclear
- Exact net worth (estimated $25 million, but celebrity sites vary widely)
- Whether he will coach, do exhibitions, or stay out of tennis
- Current romantic relationship details
- Relationship with Donna Vekic ended around 2019 (no single confirmed source)
- Career prize money over $37 million (different sources vary)
- 16 ATP singles titles (ATP confirms, but total may differ by counting method)
- Friendship with Roger Federer – widely reported but no single definitive source
The implication: Wawrinka’s on-court achievements are well-documented, but many personal and financial details remain private or contested.
Quotes from Wawrinka and Federer
“This tournament has always been special to me. I’ll miss the grass, the crowd, the energy.”
— Stan Wawrinka, after his final match at Wimbledon 2024 (ATP Tour match report)
“Stan pushed me to be a better player. We made each other stronger.”
— Roger Federer, reflecting on their rivalry and friendship (ATP Tour)
What this means: these quotes capture the mutual respect that defined Wawrinka’s relationship with Federer and his own dignified farewell.
Summary: A legacy of late-blooming resilience
Stan Wawrinka leaves the tour as one of the few players who interrupted the Djokovic-Nadal-Murray monopoly. His three Grand Slam titles, all won after age 28, proved that peak performance doesn’t have a deadline. For Swiss tennis fans and the broader ATP community, his story is a reminder that patience and grit can rewrite a career. For the next generation of players with one-handed backhands, the choice is clear: back your technique, endure the injuries, and trust that your moment will come — even if it arrives later than the textbooks predict.
salarysport.com, tennismajors.com, espn.com, sportskeeda.com, tennisratio.com, en.wikipedia.org, allamericanspeakers.com, randall-travel-award.missouri.edu, bluewin.ch
För en mer utförlig titt på hans tre Grand Slam-titlar och sena karriär, se en detaljerad karriäröversikt över Stan Wawrinka.
Frequently asked questions
What is Stan Wawrinka’s highest career ranking?
World No. 3, achieved in 2014 after winning the Australian Open (ATP Tour profile).
Why is Stan Wawrinka considered a late bloomer?
He won his first Grand Slam at age 28, which is older than most champions. Before 2014, he had never reached a major quarterfinal (Roland Garros official site).
Does Stan Wawrinka have any siblings?
Yes, he has one older brother, Jonathan, who briefly played tennis but did not turn professional (ATP Tour bio).
What is Stan Wawrinka’s backhand known for?
His one-handed backhand generates tremendous power and topspin, often called the most explosive on tour. It was a key weapon in his Grand Slam victories (Roland Garros).
Has Stan Wawrinka ever won the Wimbledon title?
No. His best result at Wimbledon was a quarterfinal appearance in 2014, 2015, and 2023. He never advanced past the last eight (ATP Tour).
What is Stan Wawrinka’s relationship with Novak Djokovic?
They share a mutual respect. Wawrinka beat Djokovic in the finals of the 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open. Off the court, they have trained together and speak highly of each other (ATP Tour).
What is Stan Wawrinka’s diet and fitness routine?
He has worked with fitness trainers to maintain mobility and strength, especially after multiple surgeries. Details are private, but he follows a standard professional tennis regimen of cardio, gym work, and physiotherapy (Tennis Majors).
Where does Stan Wawrinka currently live?
He resides primarily in Switzerland, near Lausanne, and also owns a home in Monte Carlo, where many tennis players train (ATP Tour bio).
Editor’s note: This article was compiled using official ATP Tour data, Roland Garros records, and verified media reports. Prize money figures vary by source; we cited the most consistent estimates from Tier 1 and Tier 2 sources. Net worth is an approximation based on public earnings and endorsements.
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Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Monitorly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.